Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Fish kills reported around Narragansett Bay were likely due to natural factors and water quality conditions, according to the state's Department of Environmental Management.

In the past week, there have been fish kills reported in three areas -- Bullocks Cove, between Barrington and East Providence; the Kickemuit River; and Wickford Cove. In some instances, as many as 1,000 fish, mostly menhaden, had died.

A statement released by the DEM lays out the blame for the fish kills on four main factors: predators, an unusually large menhaden population, poor water circulation; and low oxygen levels due to high levels of nutrients and algae blooms.

Since the causes are mostly natural, according to DEM, scientists expect more kills to occur. Conditions can be tracked on the Department's 24-hour Bay Line: 222-8888 and on its Bay Assessment and Response Team Web site.

 Tags  DEM Narragansett Bay Rhode Island

Comments

trudy said:

High level of nutrients is not "natural."

It is due to over fertilizing and over watering yards near the water and poor sewage handling.

Link | August 22, 2008 10:45 AM
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